Preschool

Preschool at LWSD
Three preschool students work on a project.

Overview of the preschool programs offered in LWSD

The LWSD Preschool Program focuses on providing children and families with a successful first-school experience. Families with a 3- and/or 4-year-old child living within the boundaries of Lake Washington School District are eligible to apply for the preschool program. Your child must be three or four years old by August 31, 2024 and live within the Lake Washington School District boundaries. (Students who are 5 years old on or before August 31, 2024 must register for Kindergarten.)

2024-25 preschool information

Program locations for 2024-25 are below (Subject to change prior to school starting in September)

  • Kirkland: Bell Elementary, Juanita Elementary, Sandburg Elementary
  • Redmond: Old Redmond Schoolhouse, Wilder Elementary
  • Sammamish: Carson Elementary

Preschool attendance location is determined by your home address.

Preschool students attend class four days per week. Classes are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. There is no preschool on Wednesday.

2024-25 preschool sessions

  • AM preschool is 8:40 - 11:10 a.m.
  • PM preschool is 12:10 - 2:40 p.m.

There are no all-day preschool options at this time.

2024-25 preschool tuition rates

Tuition for community preschool students is $4,750 per school year. ($475 monthly payments September- May). A deposit of $475 is required upon enrollment and counts toward your June tuition/payment.

Transportation is not provided for tuition-based preschool students.

2024-25 tuition-based preschool lottery

The lottery for admission to our tuition-based preschool program for the 2024-25 school year is closed. Families who receive a seat through the lottery process will be notified via email the week of March 18, 2024. 

Some locations may still have availability. If you did not enter the lottery and are interested in getting on the waitlist complete the interest statement below. 

Enter preschool Waitlist 

Currently enrolled/returning preschool students and preschool students on an IEP or Preschool students enrolled in our Head Start program do not need to fill out the interest statement to enter the lottery.

Please direct any questions to Nichole Townsend, preschool registrar at ntownsend@lwsd.org.

Go to this section below if you are interested in applying for the Head Start (Federally Funded) Program.

Preschool registration information session

Special Education Program:

  • If your child has an IEP and is already enrolled in the 2023-24 preschool program and is eligible for another year of preschool, no action is needed. Your student will roll into the 2024-25 school year.
  • If you have concerns about your child’s development or have been referred for an evaluation, please contact our Child Find Coordinator
  • If your student has already been evaluated by Lake Washington School District and has qualified for services, please email the Preschool Registration Team

The LWSD Preschool Program focuses on providing children and families with a successful first-school experience. Families with a 3- and/or 4-year-old child living within the boundaries of Lake Washington School District are eligible to apply for the preschool program.

LWSD offers the following preschool programs:

Head Start

Head Start is a federally funded comprehensive early childhood program offering services for the entire family and focuses on school readiness. Families whose income meets the federal poverty guidelines qualify for the Head Start component of the preschool program. The program is designed for children ages 3 and 4, with priority for enrollment given to 4-year-olds. Verification of income must be received before a family can be considered for placement in Head Start. A Family Support Specialist works with families to obtain all needed income documentation.

Head Start Preschool hours

Morning classes: 8:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. or
Afternoon classes: 12:10 - 3:40 p.m.

Head Start locations: A.G. Bell (Kirkland) and Old Redmond Schoolhouse

Learn more about the Head Start Preschool Program

Lake Washington School District Preschool Program

The program offers a comprehensive early childhood learning experience in preparation for kindergarten. Classes include typically developing children from the community as well as students receiving special education.

Preschool hours

  • Morning classes: 8:40 - 11:10 a.m. or
  • Afternoon classes: 12:10 - 2:40 p.m.

Learn more about the Lake Washington School District Preschool Program

SNAPS

Students Needing Additional Programming Support (SNAPS) is a special education program serving eligible preschool students ages 3-5 with a primary diagnosis of autism. The SNAPS program is designed to supplement the LWSD preschool program and better meet the needs of students with autism and their families. It is an intensive, early-intervention program that involves extensive evaluation, planning and progress-monitoring to help better prepare children for kindergarten entry.

SNAPS hours

SNAPS students attend both preschool and SNAPS.

8:40 - 11:10 a.m. or 12:10 - 2:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, in addition to preschool

Learn more about the SNAPS Program

Program structure

The preschool program school year begins in mid-September. Classes are located at elementary schools across the district. Students are assigned to the school nearest their home with available space. Average class size is 15-18 students. Preschoolers attend four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Preschool children and families have access to a variety of services, which may include:

  • Unique education experiences
  • Literacy program
  • Vision, hearing & developmental screenings
  • Parent education opportunities
  • Health and nutrition education for children and families

Classroom activities are based on the Creative Curriculum to prepare children for kindergarten.

Preschool

 

Contact Us

Preschool Registration Questions?
Contact: Nichole Townsend
Preschool Registrar
ntownsend@lwsd.org
425-936-2845

Concerns about your child’s development or been referred for an evaluation?
Contact: Linda Pankow, Child Find Coordinator
lpankow@lwsd.org
425-936-2846

For more information on the Head Start preschool program:
Contact: Sudipta Young 
suyoung@lwsd.org
425-936-2812 x52847

Kim Brenner
Director of Early Learning
kbrenner@lwsd.org
425-936-2844

Old Redmond Schoolhouse
16600 NE 80th St.
Redmond, WA 98052
425-936-2840